1. Ethics
A brief overview

2. Purpose To guide the conduct and decision making of engineers.
Requirements for engineers:
Render faithful, honest, professional service, representing
Represent the interests of their employers or clients, along with public health, safety, and welfare.
Important distinction between what is legal and what is ethical.

3. Ethical Priorities (in order)
Society and the public
The law
The engineering profession
The engineer’s client
The engineer’s firm (i.e. employer)
Other involved engineers
The engineer personally (i.e. you)

4. Dealing with Clients/Employers
Do not accept assignments without the skill, knowledge, or time to complete
Recognize your own limitations
Protect the client’s interest
Not bound to client’s want if they will be unsuccessful, dishonest, unethical, unhealthy, or unsafe.
Keep client information confidential.
Avoid conflicts of interest
Inform clients when this occurs
Avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest
Sole income should be from the client
If recommendations are rejected, explain the consequences
Admit any errors made to the client

5. Dealing with Suppliers
Do not accept or solicit gifts during, prior to, or after any job
Enforce plans and specifications
Plans and specifications must be complete, definite, and specific
Suppliers should not be required to provide something not in the specifications
Do not unduly delay the performance of suppliers.

6. Dealing with Other Engineers
Do not attempt to maliciously negatively affect the reputation, practice or employment of another engineer
Do not review another engineer’s work while they are still employed, unless they are made aware
Do not try to replace an engineer which is currently employed
Do not take advantage of competitive salary position to compete unfairly
Freely report, publish, and distribute information that would be useful to others (unless bound by legal or proprietary constraints)

7. Dealing with the Public
Consider safety, health, and welfare of the public in all work performed
Refrain from self-laudatory advertising
When issuing a public statement, clear indicate if it is on anyone’s behalf
Keep skills at a state-of-the-art level
Develop public knowledge of the engineering profession (self-awareness)
Notify authorities when decisions adversely affecting public safety and welfare are made